MANDEL NGAN / AFP / Getty Images

Bad Numbers

A Romney Death Spiral?

02.13.12 7:30 PM ET

A month ago, 40% of independents said they would back Obama over Romney — today 51% say they would, while the number expressing support for Romney has slipped from 50% to 42%.

Over the course of the campaign, Romney’s image among independent voters has suffered substantially. Most notably, the number who believe he is honest and trustworthy has fallen from 53% to 41%, while the number who say he is not has risen from 32% to 45%.

This number is the most troubling (and confusing) number for GOP prospects in the upcoming election. The base doesn't like Romney, and his only attraction was that he appeals to moderate voters that swing during general elections. So what now?